1-1 Online Running Coaching
I’ve run every single day since 30 November 2015. Not a rest day, not a missed one. That’s where the name came from, and it’s the same standard I bring to coaching the people I work with.
I’m Gareth Cooke. I’ve taken myself from a four-hour marathoner to a 2:24:35 PB, I’ve been working in sport and fitness since 2010, and I race regularly with Barnsley AC from parkrun through to marathon. I coach online, so it doesn’t matter where you are.
What I won’t do is hand you a plan off a shelf and wish you luck. Every session I write is built around your history, your week and your goal race — and rewritten when life gets in the way, because it will. Work, kids, illness, a bad night’s sleep. That’s the job.
Whichever option you pick, we start with a proper conversation about where you are now and what you actually want — email, WhatsApp or a phone call, whatever suits you.
Why work with me
- An unbroken daily running streak since 30 November 2015 — I live it, every day
- Marathon PB of 2:24:35, from a four-hour starting point
- Qualified personal trainer, working in the industry since 2010
- Still racing and still competing — not a coach who stopped ten years ago
- Athletes coached from a first 5k right through to sub-3 marathons
- Minimum 3 month commitment
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- A weekly training plan written around your life, not a template
- WhatsApp check-ins — I’m only ever a message away
- Pacing and intensity guidance for every session
- Race planning, pacing strategy and taper
- Someone holding you to the non-negotiables
- Minimum 3 month commitment
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- Everything in Standard, plus:
- A booked call with me every month
- Full analysis of your running data between calls
- Running form analysis and the corrective work that follows it, revisited each block — £60 on its own
- A full periodised strength programme, progressed alongside your running
- Priority response, whenever you need it
Not ready for month-to-month coaching? I also build one-off personalised plans for 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon at £39, and a running form analysis at £60 that tells you exactly what your stride is doing and what to do about it.
Who you’re working with
Plans are managed by me and my partner, Naomi Drakeford. I’ve gone from a four-hour marathon to 2:24:35, I’m a multiple race winner, and I’m out there in the running scene week in, week out.
Naomi has run 2:46 for the marathon, wins races regularly, and is permanent competition in our house over who’s the higher performer. She’s raced across triathlon and swimming too — from the Ironman World Championships to Olympic distance Worlds. Like me, she’s been working in the industry since 2010, with a real depth of experience across triathlon, swimming and running performance.
Athletes I coach
2:52:35 marathon
Came to me in September 2024 with a marathon best of 2:58:52. Through that winter he took the half down to 79:06 at Brass Monkey and ran 36:09 for 10k at Dewsbury, then went to Boston and came home in 2:52:35. Over six minutes quicker than he had ever run. After the inevitable post-marathon flat spell he came back and took the half to 1:17:37 at Manchester.
Keiron, coached athlete
2:37:14 marathon
Injury prone, and every block is a balance between doing enough volume and tipping him over the edge. Get that balance right and this is what happens: a half marathon best of 1:11:03, a win at the Coventry Half in early 2026, and 2:37:14 in Latvia that May.
Alex, coached athlete
3:15:47 marathon
A six minute marathon personal best at 57 years old, and in the best shape he has ever been in. Start to finish of that block he went from strength to strength. Most importantly he says he enjoyed the process, which is half the battle.
Neil, coached athlete
Got a question first?
Drop me a message below, or email me directly at gareth@therunningmaninblue.co.uk. No pressure and no hard sell — if I’m not the right coach for you, I’ll tell you.
